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ANKARA, Turkey - A former Ankara football team president has been given a lifetime ban after he punched a referee. The incident has sparked conversations about frequent violence in Turkey’s stadiums.
"There is a lot of violence among us. We do not understand sports. On the other side of the issue, there is a culture of violence in Turkey," said Mehmet Ali Kanar, a resident of Ankara.
"Sports should be done for fun only. To prevent violence, the government needs to pass more serious laws. Those who cause violence should be fined immediately and their penalties should be severe. We need to know that sport is friendly and not hostile,” he added.
Turkey’s football federation announced on Thursday that they permanently banned Faruk Koca, who has resigned as president of MKE Ankaragucu, after he punched referee Halil Umut Meler on Monday night.
Meler was attacked minutes after the final whistle of a 1-1 draw between Ankaragucu and Caykur Rizespor in Turkey’s top league.
The referee was discharged from hospital on Wednesday.
Immediately after the punch, the Turkish football federation suspended all league games, but later announced that matches will resume next Tuesday.
Ankaragucu has been fined $69,000 and will have to play five home games without fans.
"There is a lot of violence among us. We do not understand sports. On the other side of the issue, there is a culture of violence in Turkey," said Mehmet Ali Kanar, a resident of Ankara.
"Sports should be done for fun only. To prevent violence, the government needs to pass more serious laws. Those who cause violence should be fined immediately and their penalties should be severe. We need to know that sport is friendly and not hostile,” he added.
Turkey’s football federation announced on Thursday that they permanently banned Faruk Koca, who has resigned as president of MKE Ankaragucu, after he punched referee Halil Umut Meler on Monday night.
Meler was attacked minutes after the final whistle of a 1-1 draw between Ankaragucu and Caykur Rizespor in Turkey’s top league.
The referee was discharged from hospital on Wednesday.
Immediately after the punch, the Turkish football federation suspended all league games, but later announced that matches will resume next Tuesday.
Ankaragucu has been fined $69,000 and will have to play five home games without fans.
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